Shirou and the Other Passengers' True Identities / Shirou's Two Deductions

Shirou leaned forward.

"You understand my predicament, sir. Do you think I would believe you? Or are you protecting your sister, or perhaps the young ladies of the El-Melloi and Animsfia families? I've heard that your father, Lord Yuryfis, is trying to unify the noble factions, and now you're all in this together, aren't you?"

"Ah! I don't quite understand what you mean, but... I'm innocent." A sinister grin spread across the red-haired man's face. "Alright, sir, my words are easily proven. Let the Mage's Association investigate me; they'll give you the fairest judgment!"

Shirou was writing something on a piece of paper. He looked up and said calmly, "..."

"Alright, sir, you can go now."

Shirou summoned a servant.

"Please have that priest come here."

Yes, sir.

"Another Lord heir! What's going on with this train?! I know him, Bram, the nobleman of the Spirit Summoning Department, is he the murderer too?" Frederick exclaimed. "Ah, no, impossible. I tell you, it's impossible."

This time, he was truly afraid. The Bram family was different from the already fallen El-Melloi and Animsfia. Lord Euripides was also a top figure among the Twelve Factions of the Clock Tower, and he was not inferior even to the Three Great Families. The only reason he was willing to submit to Bartholomello was because the latter's bloodline was more noble.

"Alright, we have to understand all of this. Even if everyone in the car is ultimately proven to have a motive to murder Darnic, we still need to investigate thoroughly. Only in this way can we find out the truth and truly solve this problem."

"I'm dizzy..." Mr. Frederick lay down on the sofa, suddenly realizing how Akechi it was to play dead like Waver. He was practically a genius like Zhuge Liang.

At that moment, the priest was brought in by a servant.

He sat in the chair opposite Shirou, clutching a large handkerchief, weeping incessantly, looking utterly compassionate.

Shirou tried to comfort him and tell him not to cry, but he cried even harder than before.

Shirou continued to gently pat the old man's shoulder, saying in Japanese, "Alright, let's stop pretending, Matou-sama. I know you better than you think."

"Wow... young man, I didn't expect you to know the surname I used in Japan sixty years ago." The priest raised his head again, his demeanor changed drastically, and a strange sound came from his face.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out that several insects in disguise had crawled off his face, body, and arms, and then burrowed into his clothes.

At this moment, he seemed to have aged more than ten years, his body had become thin and frail, and he was hunched over. His eyes had lost their whites, and the surrounding area was black, his pupils gleaming with a fierce light. He no longer resembled a clergyman at all.

"Actually, I've been looking for you ever since I learned that the Einzbern was here," Shirou said with a light laugh as he sat back down.

"Oh, so what if you find me? What can an old man like me do? Do you think I still have the strength to kill someone?" Makiri Zolgen Makiri retorted.

Judging by his age, he is over five hundred years old. In a parallel world with abundant magic, he would be nearing his limit, and after the Fifth Holy Grail War, he developed dementia. In this world with scarce magic, it's a wonder he has managed to survive until now.

"At least you can tell me the story of what happened in that Holy Grail War," Shirou said.

Chapter 1265 Shirou's True Identity and the Other Passengers

The Third Holy Grail War ended in an attack by the German army summoned by Darnic stole the Holy Grail. The plans of the Einzbern Makiri Zolgen Makiri, and the Tohsaka, the Three Founding Families, were completely thwarted.

After that, magic became even scarcer in the world, and the Mage's Association adopted a low-key and secluded attitude. The Matou family disappeared from public view, having returned to Europe.

"I'm just an old man on his final journey before he dies."

After saying that, the old man turned and left.

Next up is a British male servant.

He walked straight toward Shirou, speaking in his usual calm and collected voice. At that moment, he was no longer a stern English servant, but a kind, scholarly old man.

Before Shirou could speak, he explained his situation.

"I'll just be honest. I didn't expect there to be outsiders who know so much about our Clock Tower, especially since we haven't been recruiting students for so long. Sir, are you perhaps a spy for some faction? I'm really curious."

"No, I'm just a detective passing by. Please sit down, make yourself comfortable, and tell us about your story," Shirou replied calmly.

"Well, to be honest, my personality really isn't suited to playing the role of a strict servant." The old man sat down, removed the human skin mask from his face, nodded, and said with a smile, "Sirs, I am Locke Bell, the head of the Summoning Department, a branch of the Clock Tower's Spirit Summoning Department Division. I was ordered by the Clock Tower to monitor Darnic for more than half a year, but I never expected him to be assassinated by someone else. I'm ashamed to say, I'm really sorry, because of my inadequate supervision, he's dead and the murderer has disappeared, causing you all trouble."

He paused for a moment, then continued.

"And Lecturer Bram has always been like this; he just doesn't want to be questioned. I can vouch for his innocence, and I hope you won't take offense."

The Summoning Department is a subordinate department of the Spirit Summoning Department. As a former subordinate of Lord Yuryfis, he was protecting his superior's legitimate son, and everything seemed perfectly reasonable.

However... there's something rather strange about this case.

Shirou looked at him calmly and asked:

"Mr. Bell, is that all you have to say?"

"Yes, sir."

"Alright, thank you for your confession. You can go back now." Shirou seemed unwilling to talk to him any further.

The old man then offered a slight apology, hesitated for a moment, and then left the dining car calmly and politely, just as he had arrived.

"This is truly..." Frederick said, "More fantastical than any novel I've ever read. Even online forum serials aren't this far-fetched."

"Of the twelve passengers, nine have been confirmed to be connected to the Darnic case. What's the next step? Or rather, who's next?"

"I can almost answer your question," Shirou said. "Look, our bodyguard, Mr. Lion Kagari, has arrived."

"Did he also come to turn himself in?"

Before Shirou could answer, the man in sunglasses had already reached the table.

He glanced at them warily, then sat down and said slowly:

"Honestly, what exactly happened on the bus? It was like a madhouse."

Shirou winked at him:

"Are you here to take revenge on Darnic too?"

"No, no, I have no grudge against him."

"That means he was hired by one of his enemies."

"No, no, but I'm starting to believe that I'm the only person on this bus who has no connection to his family. Are you surprised, I say? Surprised?"

"Of course, it's a little surprising," Shirou said softly.

"Damn Merlin's mustache! This must be a joke!" Mr. Frederick suddenly shouted.

"Do you have any thoughts on this case?" Shirou asked Kairi Shishigou.

"No, young man. This matter has completely baffled me. I don't know how to analyze or judge it. They couldn't all be involved."

As for who is guilty, that's beyond my capabilities. How did you figure it all out? That's what I want to know."

"It's all based on deduction," Shirou said, pointing to his head.

"Oh, believe me! You're an extremely clever and witty detective. Yes, if I ever meet someone who needs a detective, I'll definitely tell them about this brilliant and witty detective. If Edogawa Ranpo and Seicho Matsumoto were alive, they would have used you as a model for their stories."

Kairi Shishigou back in his chair, looking at Shirou with admiration.

"Please forgive me," he said, "But seeing how young you are, no one would believe you at first glance. I salute you. Really, I salute you."

"Thank you for your compliment, Mr. Lion Kagari."

"It's nothing, I admire you very much."

"Thank you, but..." Shirou said, "The problem isn't completely solved yet. At least for now, we can't report to the authorities that we know who killed Mr. Old John?"

"But I can't help," said Mr. Lion Kagari. "I know absolutely nothing. Haven't you made any deductions about the other two? That Chinese old man? I think he's probably the only innocent person on this bus?"

"Perhaps," Shirou said with a smile, "unless," "they want that old man to take them to Hong Kong to hold the Holy Grail War."

"Now, nothing surprises me anymore," Mr. Lion Kagari said calmly but helplessly. "A mental asylum... the only place where something like this can happen is... a mental asylum!"

"Merlin's beard, these coincidences are too bizarre," said Mr. Frederick. "They couldn't all be involved in the murder."

"Sir, don't you understand?" Waver looked at Frederick speechlessly.

"I don't understand at all!"

Shirou glanced at him speechlessly, and Merlin, too, didn't have a beard.

"Sir, you still don't know who killed Old John?"

Mr. Frederick paused for a moment, then blinked and asked in confusion, "Could it be... that you know?"

Shirou nodded.

"Yes, I know," he said. "In fact, I guessed it from the beginning. Things are so clear now, I'm really surprised you didn't see it." He looked at Kairi Shishigou and asked, "And what about you?"

The man in sunglasses shook his head, staring at Shirou with curiosity.

"I don't know," he said. "I have absolutely no idea. Who among them is it?"

Shirou was silent for a moment, then said:

"If you're willing to help, Mr. Lion Kagari, gather everyone here. There are two possible conclusions to this case. I will tell everyone both."

Chapter 1266 Shirou's Two Deductions

All the passengers crowded into the train compartment and sat around a large table. Their facial expressions were somewhat similar, some showing amusement at the prospect of a good show, others a defiant anticipation of judgment; curiosity, tension, and mockery were all mixed together.

Unaware of what was happening, Old Boss Li, who was mingling among them, was still comforting the dejected people.

"Now, you must control yourself, my friend. Everything will be alright. You must control yourself. If that despicable murderer is among us, we all know it won't be you. Sigh, just thinking about that would drive anyone crazy. Just sit here, I'm right here beside you. Don't worry anymore."

Once Shirou stood up, he fell silent.

The train conductor was gathering his men and pacing around the door.

At that moment, the train conductor from Shirou's carriage came over and asked.

"May I stay here, sir?"

"Of course, Hartless. I need someone to write down my conclusions. Close the door first."

"Yes, sir." Hartless closed the door, took the banknotes from Shirou, and found a seat.

Shirou cleared his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen: I will speak in English because everyone here understands a little English. We have been commissioned by Mr. Frederick train director, to investigate the cause of death of the deceased Darnic, and have reached two conclusions. I will tell you both of these conclusions and let Mr. Frederick decide which one is correct."

"You are all already aware of the circumstances surrounding the discovery of this case. This morning, Darnic was found stabbed to death. At 12:37 last night, he was seen alive; at that time, he spoke to the train conductor Hartless at the door."

Later, we found a dented watch in his cloak pocket; the hands were stopped at 1:15.

We conducted an autopsy and determined the time of death to be between midnight and 2 a. m. As everyone knows, at 12:30 a. m., the Snow Spirit of the ancient road went berserk, forcing the train to stop and deploy a protective barrier.

After assessment, we concluded that it would be impossible for anyone to leave the train after 12:30.

"Now let's talk about the testimonies. First, there's Mr. Lion Kagari, a free Magus was hired by Darnic as Darnic bodyguard."

Several people turned to look at Mr. Lion Kagari.

"His testimony indicates that no one passed by his compartment, which was berth number sixteen at the far end of the sleeper car. Therefore, we can only conclude that the murderer could only have been in that carriage in Istanbul."

"I would say, this is the conclusion we have drawn."

"What?" Mr. Frederick exclaimed in surprise.

"However, I can tell you another conclusion, which is much simpler. Darnic has an enemy, a powerful man who terrifies him. He described this enemy to Mr. Lion Kagari and told him that if the murder were to occur, it would most likely happen on the second night after the train leaves Istanbul."

"Now, I tell you, ladies and gentlemen, Darnic knows far more than he says. This enemy is a formidable and elusive figure! He has fair skin, androgynous good looks, and speaks like a woman."

Just as Darnic had expected, he boarded the train at the first stop into Romania, perhaps at the Romania border crossing. He got on through the door opened by the US Colonel and Mr. Caules.

They had just stepped off the train and onto the platform when the vampire, dressed in a pre-prepared train conductor's uniform and carrying a master key, unlocked the door and entered Darnic's compartment. Old John, having taken a Magecraft potion with a sleeping effect, was already fast asleep.

So this man viciously stabbed Old John twelve times, then escaped through the door leading to Old Boss Li's private room.

"That's right, I can feel him! That damned vampire!" Old Boss Li nodded and said.

"As he passed by Old Boss Li's private room, he casually slipped the dagger he had just used into his travel bag. But inadvertently, he lost his uniform armband. Then, he slipped out of the room and fled down the corridor."

At that moment, he hurriedly stuffed his uniform into a suitcase in an empty compartment. A few minutes later, just before the train was about to depart, he got off through the same door he had come from and left!

Everyone held their breath.

"Wait! What about the watch? How do you explain that?" asked Kairi Shishigou.

"I will explain the whole case to you. Darnic boarded the train in Istanbul, just like us. Eastern Europe time is an hour ahead of Central Europe time, and he forgot to set his watch. Therefore, Mr. Old John was assassinated at 12:15, not 1:15."

"But such an explanation is absurd," Mr. Frederick exclaimed. "How do you explain the sound coming from his room at 12:37? That sound is either Old John's or the murderer's. You said it yourself, Shirou."

"Not necessarily. Perhaps, well, it was a third party. This person went into Old John's compartment, wanting to speak to him, but found him dead. He immediately rang the bell to call the train conductor, and then, just as you said, realizing something was wrong and fearing being accused of murder, he started imitating Old John's voice."

"That's possible," Mr. Frederick reluctantly agreed.

Shirou glanced at Old Boss Li.

"Ah, Old Boss Li, you mean to say...?"

"Yes, but I'm not quite sure what I want to say. Do you think I forgot to set the time too?"